Receive Your Benefits By Direct Deposit

Whether you’re receiving a Social Security or 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) check or

applying for benefits, we want you to sign up for

direct deposit.

Deciding to receive your benefit by direct 

deposit may be a hard decision—and maybe you

need more time to think about it. If so, you’ll 

continue to receive your check by mail until

you decide otherwise.

If you’re applying for benefits, we will ask 

you if you have a checking or savings account so

you can use direct deposit. If you don’t have an

account, you can receive a check. Direct deposit

is a simple, safe and secure way to receive your

benefits, and you remain in control of your

money. 

What Is Direct Deposit?

Direct deposit gets your Social Security or SSI

benefit into your account quickly and safely.

The U.S. Treasury sends an electronic message

to your bank, savings and loan or credit union

crediting your account with the exact amount

of your Social Security or SSI benefit.

You can withdraw money, put some in 

savings or pay bills—the things you do with

your money now. The difference is—your check

isn’t printed or mailed. It can’t be lost or stolen.

Why Direct Deposit?

We want you to give careful consideration to

the safety and convenience that direct deposit

provides. For the last 23 years, millions of 

Social Security and SSI benefit recipients 

have used direct deposit. Social Security has 

delivered more than 1.8 billion direct deposit 

payments worth $1.9 trillion, and not one has

ever been lost or stolen.

Direct Deposit Gives You Control

Besides being convenient for you and safe for

your money, direct deposit puts you in control

of your finances. Your money is in your account

at the beginning of the business day you’re

scheduled to receive your benefit—even when

you are out of town or unable to get to your

bank, savings and loan or credit union.

Where Can You Sign Up?

If you decide that direct deposit is right for you,

contact your bank, savings and loan or credit 

union. They’ll be glad to help you sign up.

Or, you can sign up for direct deposit by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. If

you call us, we will ask you a few questions to

determine your identity. We’ll also need your 

account information and your Social Security

number.

After you sign up for direct deposit, your

benefit will be deposited to your account within

30 to 60 days. We’ll send you a letter telling you

when to expect your direct deposit to begin.

You Don’t Have An Account

If you don’t have an account, consider opening

one at a bank, savings and loan or credit union

that is convenient to you. Most financial institutions offer a variety of accounts—some with little

or no fees. Look for one that best meets your needs.

When you open an account, ask to sign up 

for direct deposit. Be sure to take your Social 

Security number when you go.

If for some reason, you can’t open an account

at a bank, savings and loan or credit union, you

may want to consider a special low-cost program

the government is developing for you. It’s called

the Electronic Transfer Account (ETA) program,

and it should be available later this year. When

ETAs become available, Social Security will

send you information about direct deposit, the

ETA program and your choices.

Save Social Security Dollars

Direct deposit helps save your tax dollars. It

costs 43 cents to print and deliver a federal 

payment check. It costs 2 cents to make the

same payment by direct deposit. The millions of

dollars Social Security saves each month by

making electronic payments means more

money to pay to you and your family in the 

future.

Social

Security

Receive Your Benefits By Direct Deposit

Social Security Administration

SSA Publication No. 05-10123

January 1999

ICN 469050

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